Patentable/Patents/US-11972732
US-11972732

Pixel circuit, shift register unit, gate driving circuit and display device

PublishedApril 30, 2024
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A shift register unit, configured to generate a first gate drive signal and a second gate drive signal, which includes a first control circuit, configured to control a potential of a first node; a second control circuit, configured to control a potential of a second node; a first output circuit, configured to generate the first gate drive signal based on a first voltage signal provided by a first voltage terminal under the control of the potentials of the first and second nodes, and output the first gate drive signal through a first gate drive signal output terminal, wherein the first voltage signal provided by the first voltage terminal is a high level signal; and a second output circuit, configured to generate a second gate drive signal based on a second voltage signal provided by a second voltage terminal under the control of a potential of a control node, and output the second gate drive signal through a second gate drive signal output terminal.

Patent Claims
7 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The shift register unit according to claim 2, wherein an absolute value of the potential of the first voltage signal is 5 volts, and an absolute value of the potential of the second voltage signal is 7 volts.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to a shift register unit used in electronic circuits, particularly for controlling display panels or other sequential data processing applications. The problem addressed is the need for precise voltage control in shift register circuits to ensure reliable signal propagation and reduce power consumption. The shift register unit includes multiple stages, each capable of receiving and outputting data signals. A key feature is the use of two distinct voltage signals to drive the circuit. The first voltage signal has an absolute potential of 5 volts, while the second voltage signal has an absolute potential of 7 volts. These voltage levels are carefully selected to optimize the performance of the shift register by ensuring stable signal transitions and minimizing leakage current. The higher voltage signal (7 volts) is used for critical operations requiring stronger driving capability, such as charging or discharging nodes within the circuit. The lower voltage signal (5 volts) is used for standard operations, balancing power efficiency and performance. This dual-voltage approach allows the shift register to operate efficiently across different conditions, such as varying temperature or load variations. The invention also includes a control circuit that dynamically selects between the two voltage signals based on the operational state of the shift register. This ensures that the appropriate voltage level is applied at the right time, further enhancing reliability and energy efficiency. The design is particularly useful in applications where low power consumption and high signal integrity are critical, such as in portable electronic devices or large-area display panels.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The shift register unit according to claim 6, wherein the second output pull-down transistor and the first control transistor are N-type transistors.

Plain English Translation

A shift register unit is used in electronic circuits to sequentially shift data or control signals. A common challenge in shift register design is ensuring reliable signal transmission while minimizing power consumption and circuit complexity. This invention addresses these issues by incorporating specific transistor configurations to improve performance. The shift register unit includes a second output pull-down transistor and a first control transistor, both of which are N-type transistors. These transistors are part of a circuit that regulates the output signal by controlling the discharge path. The N-type configuration ensures efficient switching with low power consumption, as N-type transistors typically require less voltage to turn on compared to P-type transistors. This design choice helps reduce power dissipation while maintaining fast switching speeds, which is critical for high-speed data processing applications. The second output pull-down transistor is responsible for pulling the output signal to a low state when needed, while the first control transistor manages the timing and activation of this pull-down operation. By using N-type transistors for these functions, the circuit achieves better noise immunity and stability, as N-type transistors are less susceptible to voltage fluctuations. Additionally, the compact size of N-type transistors allows for a more integrated and space-efficient design, which is beneficial for modern electronic devices where miniaturization is a key requirement. Overall, this shift register unit provides an optimized solution for signal shifting applications, balancing power efficiency, speed, and reliability. The use of N-type transistors in the pull-down and control functions ensures robust performance in various electronic sy

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The shift register unit according to claim 1, wherein an absolute value of a potential of the first voltage terminal is substantially smaller than that of a potential of the second voltage terminal.

Plain English Translation

A shift register unit is used in electronic circuits to sequentially transfer data or control signals. A common challenge in shift register design is managing power consumption and signal integrity, particularly when operating at different voltage levels. This invention addresses the issue by optimizing the voltage levels applied to the shift register unit. The unit includes a first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal, where the absolute value of the potential at the first voltage terminal is substantially smaller than that at the second voltage terminal. This configuration helps reduce power consumption while maintaining reliable signal propagation. The shift register unit may include multiple stages, each capable of receiving an input signal, generating an output signal, and transferring a clock signal to the next stage. The voltage difference between the terminals ensures efficient operation, especially in low-power applications. The design may also incorporate transistors or other semiconductor devices to control signal flow between stages. By carefully selecting the voltage levels, the shift register unit achieves a balance between performance and energy efficiency, making it suitable for use in display drivers, memory circuits, and other digital systems.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The shift register unit according to claim 1, wherein the second voltage signal provided by the second voltage terminal is a high level signal; and a voltage value of the first voltage signal is substantially different from a voltage value of the second voltage signal.

Plain English Translation

A shift register unit is used in display driver circuits to control the timing of pixel data transmission in display panels. A common issue in such circuits is ensuring stable and reliable signal transmission while minimizing power consumption and signal interference. This invention addresses these challenges by optimizing the voltage signals used in the shift register unit. The shift register unit includes multiple voltage terminals that provide different voltage signals to control the operation of the shift register. The second voltage terminal provides a high-level signal, while the first voltage terminal provides a signal with a substantially different voltage value. This difference in voltage levels helps reduce signal interference and ensures proper circuit operation. The high-level signal from the second voltage terminal is used to drive the shift register stages, while the distinct voltage from the first terminal prevents signal conflicts and enhances signal integrity. The design ensures efficient signal propagation while maintaining low power consumption and high reliability in display driver applications.

Claim 12

Original Legal Text

12. A gate driving circuit, comprising multiple stages of the shift register units according to claim 1.

Plain English Translation

A gate driving circuit includes multiple stages of shift register units connected in series. Each shift register unit generates a gate driving signal based on a clock signal, a reset signal, and an input signal from a preceding stage. The shift register unit comprises a pull-up control circuit, a pull-up circuit, a pull-down control circuit, and a pull-down circuit. The pull-up control circuit controls the pull-up circuit to output the gate driving signal when the input signal is active. The pull-down control circuit controls the pull-down circuit to reset the gate driving signal when the reset signal is active. The shift register units are cascaded such that the output of one stage serves as the input for the next stage, enabling sequential activation of gate lines in a display panel. The circuit operates without external control signals, relying solely on internal clock and reset signals to synchronize the gate driving signals. This design reduces power consumption and simplifies the overall display driving architecture by integrating the shift register functionality directly into the gate driving circuit. The circuit is particularly useful in large-area displays where minimizing external components is critical.

Claim 15

Original Legal Text

15. The pixel circuit according to claim 14, wherein an absolute value of the voltage value of the first gate drive signal is substantially smaller than that of the voltage value of the second gate drive signal.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to pixel circuits for display devices, particularly addressing the challenge of improving display performance by optimizing gate drive signals. The pixel circuit includes a driving transistor for controlling current flow to a light-emitting element, such as an OLED, and multiple gate drive signals to regulate the transistor's operation. The circuit ensures stable and efficient light emission by precisely controlling the voltage applied to the driving transistor's gate. A key feature is the use of a first gate drive signal with a significantly lower absolute voltage value compared to a second gate drive signal. This difference in voltage levels allows for finer control over the transistor's conduction state, reducing power consumption and enhancing display uniformity. The circuit may also include compensation mechanisms to account for variations in transistor characteristics, ensuring consistent brightness across the display. By adjusting the voltage difference between the gate drive signals, the circuit minimizes threshold voltage shifts and improves long-term reliability. The invention is particularly useful in high-resolution displays where precise current control is critical for image quality.

Claim 18

Original Legal Text

18. The pixel circuit according to claim 17, wherein the compensation control transistor is of an N-type transistor.

Plain English Translation

A pixel circuit for display devices, particularly organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, addresses the problem of threshold voltage variations in driving transistors that degrade display uniformity. The circuit includes a driving transistor to control current flow to an OLED, a compensation control transistor connected to the driving transistor, and a storage capacitor to store voltage data. The compensation control transistor adjusts the driving transistor's gate voltage to compensate for threshold voltage shifts, ensuring consistent brightness across pixels. In this specific embodiment, the compensation control transistor is an N-type transistor, which may improve switching speed or reduce power consumption compared to P-type alternatives. The circuit also includes a reset transistor to initialize the pixel, a data input transistor to receive voltage signals, and a light-emitting element such as an OLED. The N-type compensation control transistor helps stabilize the driving transistor's operation by dynamically adjusting its gate voltage, mitigating the effects of manufacturing variations or aging. This design enhances display uniformity and longevity by compensating for threshold voltage fluctuations in the driving transistor.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

April 8, 2022

Publication Date

April 30, 2024

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